Filter media with improved conductivity

Abstract

Filter media are provided having improved conductivity to enhance filtration efficiency and/or dissipate static charge, and methods for making the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the filter media can include a filtration substrate, and at least one conductive coating disposed on at least a portion of the filtration substrate. In use, the conductive coating is coupled to an energy source and it is effective to emit ions when energy is delivered thereto to increase the efficiency of the filtration substrate and/or to dissipate or eliminate static charge generated during filtration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A filter media, comprising:
 a non-woven fiber web; and 
 at least one conductive coating that coats at least a portion of the non-woven fiber web, wherein the conductive coating is formed from a conductive polymer, and 
 wherein the filter media is at least one of a fuel filter media or a hydraulic filter media. 
 
     
     
       2. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media has a surface resistivity in the range of about 1×10 2  to 1×10 12  ohms 2 . 
     
     
       3. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media has surface resistivity of less than about 1×10 7  ohms 2 . 
     
     
       4. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media is formed from multiple filtration layers. 
     
     
       5. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-woven fiber web is formed from fibers selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, organic fibers, inorganic fibers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       6. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the filtration substrate is formed from fibers selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, ceramic fibers, polymer fibers, cotton fibers, hemp fibers, carbon fibers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       7. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive polymer comprises poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene)poly(styrenesulfonate). 
     
     
       8. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive polymer comprises polyaniline. 
     
     
       9. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive polymer comprises carbon particles. 
     
     
       10. The filter media of  claim 1 , further comprising a bonding agent bonding the conductive coating to the non-woven fiber web. 
     
     
       11. The filter media of  claim 10 , wherein the bonding agent is formed from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene chloride, acrylic lattices, polyurethane dispersion, polyvinyl acetate, and polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
       12. The filter media of  claim 10 , wherein the bonding agent is conductive. 
     
     
       13. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media is pleated. 
     
     
       14. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive coating coats a predetermined portion of the non-woven fiber web. 
     
     
       15. The filter media of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling mechanism for connecting a high voltage power source to the conductive coating. 
     
     
       16. The filter media of  claim 15 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an electrode. 
     
     
       17. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive coating is adapted to emit ions when energy is delivered thereto to increase an efficiency of the filter media. 
     
     
       18. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-woven fiber web is formed from glass fibers. 
     
     
       19. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-woven fiber web includes a first surface and a second surface, and the at least one conductive coating coats only one surface of the non-woven fiber web. 
     
     
       20. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-woven fiber web includes a first surface and a second surface, and the at least one conductive coating coats both surfaces of the non-woven fiber web. 
     
     
       21. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media is a hydraulic filter media. 
     
     
       22. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media is a fuel filter media. 
     
     
       23. The filter media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-woven web is a wet-laid structure.